Welcome to the Adler Planetarium, the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.
Extending out into Lake Michigan from its Museum Campus home, Chicago’s historic planetarium has become a globally recognized leader in science education.
Guests will discover immersive theatre programs, special exhibitions, and events like lectures and viewing parties that allow you to journey through the vast universe — from the depths of powerful black holes to the heights of Voyager 1, the farthest human-made object from Earth.
The outside of the planetarium is just as jaw-dropping as the inside, thanks to stunning skyline views from its outdoor terrace. Start planning your visit to Chicago’s Adler Planetarium.
Adler Planetarium
About the Adler Planetarium
The Adler has welcomed space and science enthusiasts from around the world for almost a century. As America’s first planetarium, the Adler is dedicated to scientific exploration rooted in community and connection.
First opened in 1930, the Adler Planetarium is the oldest institution of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. With a mission to connect people to the universe and each other, the Adler typically hosts more than half a million visitors each year. Exhibits showcase historic artifacts, real items from space, the latest technologies, immersive experiences, and beyond — all designed to bring the wonders of space just a bit closer.
Adler Planetarium exhibits and shows
The museum is home to three full-size theaters: including the new Grainger Sky Theater, fashioned as a virtual observatory, the all-digital projection Definiti Space Theater and the 3D Universe Theater.
Adler Planetarium permanent exhibits
The Adler’s groundbreaking exhibits including everything from a real moon rock to the actual Gemini 12 spacecraft to some of the largest and rarest telescopes on the planet.
Doane Observatory: The planetarium’s observatory is home to the largest telescope available to the public in the Chicagoland area, allowing you to see celestial objects that are trillions of miles away. Check the schedule for upcoming viewing hours.
Mission Moon: Learn about America’s first moon landing and experience an astronaut’s journey firsthand. In this interactive exhibit, you can launch a rocket, hurry to rescue Apollo 13, peek into the real-life spacecraft Gemini 12, see a real rock from the moon, and witness what it takes to be one of the first humans on the moon.
The Universe: A Walk through Space and Time: Explore the evolution of the cosmos over 13.7 billion years, with a cosmic timeline that spans The Big Bang to modern day. The exhibit includes various interactive stations and advanced telescope technology to immerse guests in the origins of our universe.
Planet Explorers: Blast off to Planet X with space explorers of all ages. This hands-on exhibit was designed with educational play areas to engage and entertain children ages 3-8. Kids can work the controls in a two-story rocket, visit the Space Station, and take a stroll through the stars.
Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass: Get a crash course in telescope technology, featuring some of the world’s most rare and important telescopes and their extraordinary beauty and technology.
Community Design Labs: The lab allows you to dive into challenges, experiment, and play. Not only do you learn about science, but you also become the principal investigator in your own scientific research.
Check out all the exhibits currently on view at the planetarium.
Adler Planetarium Sky Shows
Make sure to grab tickers to one of the Adler’s award-winning Sky Shows inside its iconic dome theaters. Check the schedule to see what’s playing now, like one of these classic shows:
Destination Solar System
The year 2096 and space tourism is available to everyone. Space explorers will join one of these epic space tours, journeying million of miles in just seconds and featuring the hottest, coldest, stormiest, and most spectacular sights in the Solar System.
Planet Nine
Get to know Pluto, our solar system’s most mysterious dwarf planet. New Horizons space craft made the voyage and captured the first up-close images of the distant planet. Now, Planet Nine allows audiences to discover the unknown and dive into a world far more complex than anyone realized.
Skywatch Live
See Chicago’s magnificent night sky, from magnificent constellations to twinkling stars and planets, all without light pollution. A live presenter will turn down the city lights and crank up the stars for a one-of-a-kind view of our city.
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
Join Big Bird and Elmo on an unforgettable journey to the Moon and back! Find the Big Dipper and the North Star along with your Sesame Street favorites during this kid-friendly show.
Adler Planetarium tickets and free admission days
You must purchase tickets for the Adler Planetarium online in advance. Admission options include:
- Museum entry with all exhibitions
- Museum entry with all exhibitions + one sky show
- Museum entry with all exhibitions + two sky shows
Discounted entry is available for Chicago residents, children ages 3 to 11, and families with an EBT/Link card or a WIC ID.
The Adler Planetarium is free for Illinois residents with proof of residency every Wednesday evening from 4– 10 p.m.
The museum also offers free museum entry to active-duty military personnel and their families, teachers, veterans, and Illinois teachers.
Getting to the Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium is located at 1300 S. Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Lake Shore Drive on the Chicago Museum Campus. The planetarium is within walking distance to the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum.
- By car: Visitors driving to the Adler Planetarium can pay to park at nearby parking lots on the planetarium campus and at nearby Soldier Field. Keep in mind that events at Soldier Field and Huntington Bank Pavilion can affect traffic, parking availability, and rates.
- By bike: The Adler Planetarium is accessible via Chicago’s paved Lakefront Trail. There is a Divvy bike share station located just outside the Adler’s front doors.
- By CTA train: The closest Chicago Transit Authority train stop to the Field Museum is Roosevelt, serviced by the Red, Orange, and Green lines. Riders can hop on the 146 bus for a convenient ride straight to the museum campus from the Roosevelt station.
- By Metra train: The regional Metra Electric District line stops at the Museum Campus/11th Street station.
- By bus: The 146 (Inner Drive/Michigan Express/Museum Campus) and 130 (Museum Campus, only mid-May through Labor Day) both stop at the Museum Campus.
Learn more about getting to the Adler Planetarium.
Accessibility at the Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium’s wheelchair accessible entrance is located at the South Box Office. Elevators and accessible restrooms are located throughout the museum. Each of the three dome theatres offers designated seating for guests with wheelchairs and their companions.
